I did a search & a Advanced search and did not find what I was lookng for even though I'm sure I had seen a thread at one time. Anyway what is the major Difference between the 338LM & the 338LAI, I know that the Angle changes with the Ackley but is there a true value to having one or the other??? & how about loads & case life??? or is it just opinion & preference. Thanks in advance.
338LM vs 338LAI
- Thread starter retepnosflow
- Start date
Yah but I'm looking for reloading do's & do not's and why's & Why not's as well as opinons, facts, testimonials etc etc!!!
In that case I would talk to Rick at ATRS directly for info. If you read through the AI threads in the Precision Rifles forum you will find a number of CGN'ers that have rifles built by Rick and can offer info about their experiences with the cartridge.
Mark
Good Idea.
All the Ackley designed cartridges offer the same benefits. Longer case life, less stretching, larger case capacity for more powder, which in turn gives you (varying degrees) of velocity increase. The typical formula is 1/4 of the increase in CC as an increase in velocity. That is, if the case capacity increases 10%, the velocity will increase 2.5%. Those are fairly good numbers, they match up what I've seen in the dozen or so Ackley (and similar; Gibbs et al) wildcats I've owned. - dan
Thanks Dan I've heard some rumors of longer case life & thats why I'm interested, I Guess once I get (AI) I will have to fire form the Brass which is a whole other topic all together.
You wont see longer case life as the regular Lapua lasts a long time anyway, but you wont have to trim as often.
You will waste a lot of time and money fireforming the brass.
If this is about saving money the 338s are not for you.
FWIW A 7mag with a 180 Berger will accomplish the same thing.
A 300Win with a 208A-Max is pretty darned close as well.
Both of these are 1/2 the shooting cost of the 338s.
Something to think about.
You will waste a lot of time and money fireforming the brass.
If this is about saving money the 338s are not for you.
FWIW A 7mag with a 180 Berger will accomplish the same thing.
A 300Win with a 208A-Max is pretty darned close as well.
Both of these are 1/2 the shooting cost of the 338s.
Something to think about.
For an AI rookie, why do they offer longer case life and less stretching?
Thanks,
Mark
Fireforming??
I use a hydroforming die, which pushes the shoulder/taper out, and if you do them twice, i would say your 90-95% there....... A buddy and I use this die, and as long as you make sure to do it twice, go straight to .338LAI loads, no muss, no fuss...... Last batch had an ES of 13 that we loaded, and an easy 1/2 MOA while testing.
I also use this on a .260AI and a .22-250AI I have, works slick....... No wasting bbl life, or componants.
I use a hydroforming die, which pushes the shoulder/taper out, and if you do them twice, i would say your 90-95% there....... A buddy and I use this die, and as long as you make sure to do it twice, go straight to .338LAI loads, no muss, no fuss...... Last batch had an ES of 13 that we loaded, and an easy 1/2 MOA while testing.
I also use this on a .260AI and a .22-250AI I have, works slick....... No wasting bbl life, or componants.
Well said & well taken, but I think if you can save money it never hurts
!!!especially in the long instead of short! I do realize I would burn up extra supplies fireforming though right out of the gate. But what would I do with all the LM Brass I have Aquired
. I have A HS 300WSM & it seems to shoot better than I can, 7mm's are cool too just not in my stable or thoughts right now.Well said & well taken, but I think if you can save money it never hurts
especially in the long instead of short! I do realize I would burn up extra supplies fireforming though right out of the gate. But what would I do with all the LM Brass I have Aquired
Well....
What bradtothebone is telling us is that Wildcats like the 338Limp can now be hydro-formed instead of fire-formed. The cost of the hydro-form dies would quickly offset the component costs and barrel wear.
If you look through the EE you will find a great deal of very expensive 338Lapua rifles (Lapua brass too) for sale. I suspect this is in part because they are so expensive to feed.
A lot of things can be done with a 300Mag and a slippery bullet, but what is more important is that you shoot and shoot often. Caliber has a lot to do with cool and almost nothing to do with success.
I'm for ya whatever way you go, but the cost needs to be weighted and put in perspective.
Well....
What bradtothebone is telling us is that Wildcats like the 338Limp can now be hydro-formed instead of fire-formed. The cost of the hydro-form dies would quickly offset the component costs and barrel wear.
If you look through the EE you will find a great deal of very expensive 338Lapua rifles (Lapua brass too) for sale. I suspect this is in part because they are so expensive to feed.
A lot of things can be done with a 300Mag and a slippery bullet, but what is more important is that you shoot and shoot often. Caliber has a lot to do with cool and almost nothing to do with success.
I'm for ya whatever way you go, but the cost needs to be weighted and put in perspective.
Thanks for the Support there Dad!!!
, It's just built into me to try & save some cash, I tried this with my 30-378Wby & there is no saving cash there so I figured I would move up to a proven & accurate round while prices are a little better than last year & yes there is a cool factor there and some braggin rights but the truth of the matter is that someone out there is having a great time shooting 338LM or 338LAI & I want that someone to be me. For now all I have accumulated is Brass & very soon I will get what I hope to be is the last so called Big Caliber I ever need!. Thats right up until I decide I want to shoot 50's.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
True, but you can't drive a 300gr SMK at 3000 FPS with a 300 WM. Apparently they're deer slayers par excellence. My 300 WM with a 29" barrel will drive a 208 AMax at 2950 (2980 at a half grain over max but I'm abandoning that load as a bad idea - why do I need more than 2950?) which should get you from 100 to 1000 yards with 29 minutes of elevation and an arrival speed of 1578 FPS and 1150 FtLb of energy (theoretical as I have never shot the rifle that far yet). The 338 L.Imp should get you there in 25 minutes and an arrival speed of around 1800 FPS and 2100 FtLb of energy (again theoretical). But even at 1000 yards you'll be glad to have the speed and energy of the L.Imp if what you're trying to do is make a beastie reside in your deep freeze.
I have not decided which route I'm going yet, I have 338LM Brass & have more on the way but have not made a decision!!!
Thanks for the Support there Dad!!!
Funny guy.
Try to help a guy out....
This wont be your last big rifle.
I can tell because you sound like me.
Any time Son!!
